Heinz - Tinytums

Toddler Nutrition

Do I have to make sure my toddler has a high fibre diet?
No, fibre is an important part of a healthy diet for adults. This is not the case for toddlers. A high fibre bran cereal, for example, would not be appropriate. This is because fibre makes the diet more bulky which can make your toddler’s tiny tum feel full after eating fewer calories. It may therefore be difficult for them to get enough energy to ensure healthy growth and development.

Now my toddler is weaned, should I be giving him a low fat diet?
No, for adults, a healthy diet is one which is low in fat. This again is not true for toddlers. Fat is an important source of energy in their diet. If total fat intake is low, it can be difficult to ensure that energy (calorie) intake is adequate for healthy growth and development. Fat is also an important source of essential fatty acids and of fat-soluble vitamins (A and D). Essential fatty acids are necessary for growth and for keeping the skin in healthy condition. So your toddler should have full-fat milk, cheese and other dairy products.

I want my toddler to share in our mealtimes and I cut up our food for him, but what do I do about salt?
My family loves it in our meals. Many foods intended for older children and adults have added salt. But a toddler doesn’t need added salt and so Heinz Toddler’s Own  foods are made without added salt. Children aged 1-3 should have no more than 2 grams of salt per day. (The recommendation for adults is 6 grams a day.) You should avoid giving your toddler overly salty foods including packet gravies, sauces, crisps or pretzels.

How can I encourage my toddler to feed himself?
Giving finger foods such as toast, cooked vegetables, cheese, and  fruits such as apple, banana and pear can encourage self feeding. Your toddler might like to hold a little box of raisins or a packet of Heinz Toddler’s Own Mini Cheese Biscuits, which might encourage self-feeding.

What kind of meal pattern should my toddler be having now?
By 12 months, your toddler should be well on the way to a more usual diet consisting of three main meals interspersed with snacks and milk drinks. The texture of the meals will be more chopped than mashed.  A wide variety of foods and drinks should be offered to help ensure  an adequate intake of all nutrients

My toddler just won’t eat anything healthy. What can I do?
Your child’s tastes will develop over the years. It’s best to introduce important foods one at a time and ask your toddler to eat just one piece of a new or unwanted item. Also, you can ask them at the start of the day, which five items they will eat for their five-a-day and reward them when they succeed. You can also use Heinz puréed vegetables as a sauce on foods they do like and work on giving them healthy snacks like fruits or a Farley’s Mini Vegetable Biscuit. Overall, it’s about patience, setting realistic goals and rewarding them and engaging them in their food and making new foods exciting and fun.